I tend to write a lot of blog entries in
my mind. Many that don't make it to the page because of
the time involved and especially lately I've been concentrating
on fiction. Spending quality time with my grant book.
It's been wonderful, at times, and challenging, at times.
Sometimes it's both of those things at the exact same
time! But I hope that when I'm finished the new YA book
I'll be able to translate some more of my unwritten blog
entries into words.
Before any of that happens, though, I'll
be taking a short book break to spend a few days in Montreal.
Billy Bragg's currently on a North American tour and since
I haven't seen him live since 09 catching only his Toronto
gig didn't seem enough. So we're heading out to Montreal
to see him play there too: Bragg-o-mania! In anticipation
I've been listening to his new album, Tooth & Nail,
over and over today.
When I'm sitting at my laptop actively working
on a book I need silence but today has been what the Irish
call "a doss day." A lovely one at that. The
warmest, sunniest day we've had in Southern Ontario in
months and months. So what did we do with it? Well, we
drove out to the next town over (Billy Bragg accompanying
us on the stereo) where we didn't have to pay for parking
because a woman leaving the lot generously gave us her
unused minutes. Then we munched on melts and pasta salad
in a cute little coffee house, strolled on the beach and
sat on the warm sand. Drove halfway home (Billy Bragg
once again providing the soundtrack) and stopped into
a European supermarket, terrific used bookstore that must
not have been open long because I've never seen it before,
and a wonderful British import shop that I love to death.
Bought crisps, British chocolate and an off-shoot show
of Spooks that I've never seen: Code 9.
If you've read my new adult book Come See About Me
this shop will be familiar to you because it's one of
a few that I based Leah's workplace on. In my dreams I
win the lottery and buy a shop exactly like this!
While at the bookshop I overheard a customer
at the register. Upon realizing he was offering too much
money for his books (overpaying) he remarked to the clerk,
"Oh well, it's only money—I would rather have
the books." The remark made me grin to myself in
my corner of the bookstore. It was a perfect comment in
a perfect day. I hope that before I get back here to blog
again you all have some perfect days on the way too! And
thanks, always and forever, to Billy Bragg, for the music,
the poetry, and for being a voice of compassion and reason.
Perfect
Days 
